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Act2endracism & ACCT Action Chinese Canadians Together joins with the Nation to mark the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day as Canadians grieve the discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential graves sites.
Calgary, AB-Parliament created National Truth and Reconciliation Day by giving it Royal Assent earlier in June on this day formerly known as Orange Shirt Day. This is call to action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Orange Shirt day stems from the experience of Phyliss Webstad from Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who arrived at school wearing an orange shirt, which was taken from her. Orange shirts have become the symbol of culture and freedoms stripped away from Indigenous children for generations. And wearing an “Every Child Matters” shirt shows solidarity with residential school survivors, their families and communities.
“What I want for the future generations, the seven generations coming up, is to get back their language, culture and ceremonies. Because that’s basically what the residential schools took away from all us kids that went there. We want them to be aware of these schools and what happened, they should always remember these residential schools and what happened so that none of these schools can ever come into existence again.”
–Geronimo Henry, Mohawk Institute Survivor
Founder of ACT2endracism, Teresa Woo-Paw, added, “It is important, we stand as allies today and every day for true reconciliation to be achieved. We call on the federal government to work with residential school survivors and Indigenous governments to establish a national framework to investigate and protect burial sites consistent with the rights, laws, jurisdiction and protocols of affected Nations. We should and must hold all governments and churches accountable.”
Crisis support is available at 1-866-925-4419.
To support and raise awareness for “Every Child Matters” woodlandculturalcentre.ca
For information or to book an interview:
Serena Mah/Media and Communications Consultant E:serena@serenamah.com
M: 780 982 5050 W: acctfoundation.ca/ act2endracism.ca